Testimonials

I interned for two weeks in the application technology department. I
took samples from chemical baths in the facilities and gave them to
colleagues from Hillebrand Chemicals who examined their composition. I
further took care of sorting faulty parts according to their error type.

This allowed me to learn a lot about various coating mechanisms and I
could use my chemistry knowledge a lot, which was quite
entertaining.

But the best part for me was that I was able to do many things on my
own.

I applied at WHW Hillebrand because friends recommended the company. I
interned in the sales back office. I got to know the department for new
components for one week and the quotation department for another week. I
created material data sheets and participated in 100% controls.

I was especially happy about the company tour I received. This allowed
me to get to know the entire facility, which helped me a lot with my
work.

First I joined the department for new components for two months, which
is responsible for parts that we haven’t coated yet.

Now I get to know two more departments and am currently employed at my
first station: quality management. I especially like the combination of
office work and practical activities that is characteristic of QM, as I
travel a lot between the departments to get a look at the coating
processes wherever they take place. My tasks include checking coated
parts in accordance with given quality criteria, dealing with
informational claims and updating facility manuals.

I’m learning a lot and can already use my existing knowledge in my daily
work.

I interned for two weeks in the application technology department. I took
samples from chemical baths in the facilities and gave them to colleagues
from Hillebrand Chemicals who examined their composition. I further took
care of sorting faulty parts according to their error type.

This allowed me to learn a lot about various coating mechanisms and I could
use my chemistry knowledge a lot, which was quite entertaining.

But the best part for me was that I was able to do many things on my own.

I applied at WHW Hillebrand because friends recommended the company. I
interned in the sales back office. I got to know the department for new
components for one week and the quotation department for another week. I
created material data sheets and participated in 100% controls.

I was especially happy about the company tour I received. This allowed me to
get to know the entire facility, which helped me a lot with my work.

First I joined the department for new components for two months, which is
responsible for parts that we haven’t coated yet.

Now I get to know two more departments and am currently employed at my first
station: quality management. I especially like the combination of office
work and practical activities that is characteristic of QM, as I travel a
lot between the departments to get a look at the coating processes wherever
they take place. My tasks include checking coated parts in accordance with
given quality criteria, dealing with informational claims and updating
facility manuals.

I’m learning a lot and can already use my existing knowledge in my daily
work.

Sophia Hornkampcompany student in HR

Sophia Hornkamp – company student in HR
Right after I graduated from high school in May 2013, I applied at WHW
Hillebrand as a temp to bridge the time until college. Now I work once a
week as a company student in HR.

My tasks here are quite varied. I regularly get new jobs from different
departments, so the work never gets boring. My main jobs are processing
incoming applications, answering applicants‘ questions and writing
references.

I especially like the workplace climate. My colleagues have integrated me
into their team from the very beginning and introduced me to other
departments as well. I feel very welcome at WHW Hillebrand and at HR in
particular and I hope that I can collect more experience at WHW Hillebrand
in the future as well.

I already knew during my studies that I wanted to write my thesis at a
company. WHW Hillebrand has offered me to use the first month to get to know
the company and to start writing about what I particularly liked later
on.

I found the company tour at the beginning of my work particularly
informative. This is how I learned about the responsibilities of the
individual departments

Now I write my bachelor’s thesis in the sales back office about project
management and the introduction and development of a project administration
system at WHW Hillebrand.

My colleagues were always helpful and supportive with the writing of my
thesis, which impressed me immensely.

Raik Busemannintern in the purchasing departmentDuration: 2 months

I always wanted to get practical experience in addition to my studies and
hence decided to do an internship in the purchasing department at WHW
Hillebrand. Here I deal with both suppliers and temp companies.

I especially liked that I was being completely involved from day one and
could also join a meeting with a supplier.

Alina Bechheimdual education management expert (Bachelor of Arts)

I applied at WHW Hillebrand because of good recommendations and because I
was impressed by the growth of the company.
Since August 2014 I’ve been working through a dual education program at WHW
Hillebrand. This means I’m apprenticing as an industrial clerk for 1.5 years
and study for 3.5 at the administrative and business academy in Arnsberg at
the same time. I’m getting to know all the business-related departments of
the company during my apprenticeship; I’ve already worked in logistics, at
the reception desk and in HR where my stay was extended for a month upon my
request.

I feel very welcome as an apprentice and I like the family-like atmosphere
at work. I especially appreciate that I’ve been very well received so far in
every department and that my colleagues have been helpful at all times. It’s
great how they’re taking care of their apprentices here.

Bayram Yildirimsurface coater

Before I’ve begun my apprenticeship as a surface coater at Hillebrand
Chemicals, I’d already been employed in production here through a temp
agency. I’m very interested in chemistry and physics, which is why I noticed
this particular apprenticeship. I attend vocational school in block sessions
and get to know several departments in the company during my practical
education. For example, I’ve already worked in the applications technology
department which deals with the optimization of chemical processes in the
production process. At the moment I’m used in hand electroplating where I
coat and passivate surfaces.

The part of my apprenticeship at Hillebrand Chemicals I like most is that I
could already work on my own after a short while. I also find the familial
working climate very motivating.

Paulo Martinsproduction area manager in plant II

Reliability and security – those two attributes characterize WHW Hillebrand
for me.

Despite the company’s size, you can still feel a familial work climate. I’ve
been with WHW Hillebrand for 30 years now. Back then, I started as equipment
operator. Now I’ve been production area manager for 15 years in a plant not
far from our Wickede headquarters and principally responsible for optimizing
workflow and chemical processes.

An important part of my daily work is, of course, employee management, which
WHW Hillebrand puts great emphasis on.

Emir Plojovicmachine and equipment operator

I’ve previously worked at WHW Hillebrand as a machine and equipment
operator. Then I left to take care of our family business for a while, but
eventually returned to WHW Hillebrand because I liked it so much and I
wanted to complete an apprenticeship as machine and equipment
operator.

As an apprentice, I got to know departments other than production as well,
such as metalworking.
I’ve elected to shorten my apprenticeship, which means I completed it a few
weeks ago and have now been hired as a regular employee.

As a machine and equipment operator, I am now responsible for maintaining my
machines and facilities without disruptions; I operate them during regular
use and take care of malfunctions.
I further control our production output on compliance with our requirements
and take care of the sufficient quality and quantity of chemicals in our
facility baths.

Michaela Kühnemployee in the quotations department

I’ve been with WHW Hillebrand for 25 years now. I started in the logistics
department and then switched to Hillebrand Chemicals for 10 years and now
I’ve been working in the sales back office for 2 years. Here I deal with
quotations.

The family-like atmosphere is what has been keeping me at WHW Hillebrand for
so long.

Tobias Groteapplications technology manager

I started at WHW Hillebrand in 2006. Back then, I wrote my graduation thesis
here. I received deep insights into the processes during my stay as
technical assistant to the plant manager.

Today I manage the applications technology department and am an assistant to
the general production manager. Applications technology is responsible for
optimizing the chemical processes during production. We ensure that new
chemistry is introduced into the production facilities with great process
security and take care of continual quality control, for example by taking
regular samples from the chemical baths in our facilities and analyzing
them. At the same time I’m involved in manifold projects.

During my daily work, I particularly appreciate the mixture of theory and
practice. At WHW Hillebrand, I especially like the familial work atmosphere.
A lot is being done for our employees here, e.g. our company-wide health
management.

Susanne Görlichemployee in the quotations department

I’ve been with WHW Hillebrand’s quotation department since August 2012. Here
I am a contact person for our customers when it comes to processing requests
or creating offers.

The family-friendly nature of my employer and the good cooperation with my
WHW colleagues is very important to me.

About WHW Hillebrand

WHW Hillebrand is one of the most leading European companies when it comes to corrosion protection based on zinc, zinc alloy and duplex finishings as well as organic corrosion protection coatings. The company, founded in 1937 and run by the owner, has become the largest and most capable provider of protective finishing based on zinc nickel alloys for mass production articles.